Buzzing, darting about, causing people to quickly duck, were what I assumed to be dozens of large bumble bees swarming on the purple salvia. Except they weren’t bees at all. Those frantic creatures were hummingbirds!

I’ve never seen them gathered in such numbers as I saw at the South Coast Botanic Gardens this past weekend. I tried snapping clear, posed pictures, but it was nearly impossible. They moved too fast, I couldn’t get in focus. I needed something to lean my zoom lens on for stability, but the prime bench property set amongst the flowers was taken by another photographer who wouldn’t budge. So, this little gallery is my best attempt. ~SueBee (photos by SueBee)